RITA M. ARCHAMBAULT
October 8, 1931 ~ November 11, 2020 (Age 89)

Rita M. Archambault, 89, a native of Jaffrey, NH, died peacefully at Carlyle Place Assisted Living in Bedford, NH, on November 11, 2020 with her daughter by her side, after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Jaffrey on October 8, 1931, daughter of the late John and Rebecca (St. Pierre) Robichaud. She was raised in Jaffrey and graduated from Conant High School with the Class of 1949.

Rita married Robert James “Pete” Archambault on October 4, 1952, and together they raised their family in Jaffrey. Rita adored spending time with her family; they enjoyed Jaffrey Ice Racing and was a score keeper at Pete's softball games. Additionally, she enjoyed skeet and target shooting with her family.

As a teenager, Rita babysat and worked at the local laundromat. She volunteered with the Jaffrey Ambulance during the 1970's and 80's. Rita also worked in the Jaffrey Mill for several years, before going to work for Millipore for 23 years until she retired. Following retirement, she volunteered as a driver for the Red Cross for 12 years.

Rita was an active member of many local organizations: Jaffrey Women's Bowling League, Jaffrey Cribbage Club, Masons of Winchendon, Millipore Retirees Lunch Bunch, Golden Ages of Winchendon, and a member of the Jaffrey Seniors. She was also a proud lifelong blood donor.

Throughout her life, Rita had many interests: she loved to read, and always had a book in her hand. She liked boating and fishing, playing bingo, playing the slot machines, scratch lotto, card games, and doing latch hook and puzzles. Rita was a loyal Red Sox fan and watched every game. She loved going out to eat and traveling, taking many cruises and bus trips during her life. ln later years, Rita traveled every Thanksgiving to Florida to visit her sister.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her husband, Pete, who died May 16, 1992.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Murray and husband James, of Bedford, NH; and Donna Cormier, of Jaffrey, NH; her sister, Cecile Giguere of Keene, NH; her extended family and many friends.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours, which will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey.

A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday November 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM in St. Patrick Cemetery on Hillcrest Road in Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps will be the Celebrant.

Attendees at either event are respectfully reminded that social distancing will be observed and face masks required.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, NH Chapter, 166 S. River Road #210, Bedford, NH 03110.

GERMAINE COMEAU
September 6, 1931 ~ November 9, 2020 (Age 89)

Germaine (Vautour) Comeau, 89, of Gardner, died peacefully, Monday, November 9, 2020, in her residence with her family by her side.

Born in Saint-Ignace, NB, Canada, on September 6, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Eleanor (Gallant) Vautour. After graduating from high school, Germaine earned an Associate's Degree as a licensed practical nurse. Prior to her retirement, she was employed in numerous hospitals, including Hotel Dieu de Campbellton in New Brunswick, Redington Memorial Hospital in Skowhegan, ME, Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, and Heywood Hospital of Gardner. Germaine, along with her sisters Rosella and Delia, were most proud of being the founders of the French Connection, a care-based agency in the Greater Gardner Community for 40-years.

Germaine was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish/ Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner and enjoyed studying the Bible. She loved to bowl, golf, and watch sports—especially the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. Germaine was fearless and enjoyed trying new things. Her pride and joy were children—especially her own family, and treasured time spent with them.

Germaine is survived by her husband of 63-years, Fernand JP. Comeau of Gardner, two daughters, Michelle Comeau and her husband Jeffrey Stevens of Phillipston, and Cheryl Umana of Corona, CA; a son, Philip Comeau and his wife Kristin of Merrimac; four sisters, Ernestine Johnson of Saint-Ignace, NB, Canada, Rosella Ouellet of Hubbardston, Delia Daigle of Gardner, and Roseanna Thompson of St. John, NB, Canada; seven grandchildren, Brittany Smeltekop of Westminster, Dillon Marinelli of Winchendon, Nicolas, Sarah, and Mitchell Umana of Corona, CA, and Makenna and Keegan Comeau of Merrimac; a great-grandchild, Charlie Smeltekop of Westminster; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Dolor and Gerard Vautour; and a sister, Jeanine Vautour.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2020, with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Annunciation Parish in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Germaine Comeau.

Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440, is handling the arrangements.

LYNNE J. RICE
September 26, 1940 ~ November 14, 2020 (Age 80)

WINCHENDON - Lynne J. (Linden) Rice, 80, formerly of Winchendon, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, November 14, 2020 at Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

"Your wings were ready ... our hearts were not."

She was born in Gardner on September 26, 1940, daughter of the late Toivo and Elsa (Blom) Linden and was a graduate of Gardner High School and Fitchburg State College. She was a resident of Winchendon since 1961 and had resided in Baldwinville for the past year.

Lynne was an elementary school teacher at Waterford Street School in Gardner many years ago until raising her family. She later returned to school, began a second career as a nurse after graduating from the former Fanning Trade School. Lynne worked at several area nursing homes and later did private nursing care.

Lynne was a member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion Auxiliary and loved to read, work on crossword puzzles and art work. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family.

Her husband of 43 years, John "Jack" Rice, died in 2004. She leaves four children, Lindy D. Rice and his partner Annie of KY, Dawn Machonis and her husband John of Winchendon, Laura E. Rice of Bolton and Jonathan K. Rice and his wife Angele of Bath, ME; five grandchildren, Crystal, Joshua, Jordan, Emilie and John, and four great grandchildren, Dominic, Iris, Emmit and Jax. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. Her sister, Lois Belair, of Essex Junction, VT, passed away in April.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to PBS, 268 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

ELISABETH M. (DICK) CAROLIS
January 11, 1938 ~ November 14, 2020 (Age 82)

Elisabeth M. (Dick) Carolis, 82, of Leominster, died on November 14, at the Highlands in Fitchburg, after a long illness.

She was born January 11, 1938, in Munich, Germany, daughter of Anna Dick. She worked for E.B. Kingman for many years, as a machine operator, before retiring.

Elisabeth had a kind and caring nature that will be greatly missed. She loved hiking, taking long drives with her husband, her many pets, as well as all the neighborhood squirrels and birds.

Elisabeth is survived by her husband of 58 years, Norman Carolis. She leaves her two sons, Erich Dick and his wife Jackie, of Baltimore, MD, and Robert Carolis and his significant other, Becky Harmon, of Ashburnham; as well as two daughters, Caroline Maillet and her husband, Bernard, of Templeton, and Susan Gallant and her husband, Randy, of Winchendon. She also leaves three grandchildren, Sebastian Dick, Alicia Maillet and Alexander Maillet. She leaves one brother, Dieter Dick, in Germany, and a sister, Liane Hauser, in Spain. She was predeceased by a sister, Paula Sandberg, of New Jersey.

The funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 20, at 1:00 PM at St. Anna's Church, 199 Lancaster St., Leominster. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St. Winchendon. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at www.alz.org.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.

Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster, is assisting the family with arrangements.

ELAINE M. (ARSENAULT) DELORME
June 5, 1950 ~ November 14, 2020 (Age 70)

LEOMINSTER- Elaine M. (Arsenault) DeLorme, 70, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Health Alliance- Leominster Hospital after a short battle with cancer.

She was born in Leominster on June 5, 1950 a daughter of the late Norman and Lucille (Guertin) Arsenault. She attended local schools and graduated from St. Bernard's High School before attending Mount Wachusett Community College where she earned an Associate's Degree in Accounting. Elaine was employed for many years as a Public Safety Dispatchers in the communities of Leominster, Fitchburg and most recently Boxborough where she retired from in March of this year.

She enjoyed traveling and cruising. She enjoyed her many trips to Aruba. She was an avid lover of animals, especially her dogs.

She leaves behind her husband of 37 years, Irving J. DeLorme; a daughter, Cathlene M. Dowling of Leominster; two sisters, Debra White of Leominster and Joan Krokowski and her husband, Robert of Winchendon; a brother, Robert Arsenault of Leominster; two grandchildren, Tyler and Jessica Dowling, both of Leominster; her godchild, Rebecca Tomasello of San Diego, California; several nieces, nephews, extended family members and many close friends. She is predeceased by her son in law Vaughn Dowling in 2017.

At Elaine's request there will be no public funeral services.The Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg, is assisting the family.

JUDITH A. BEEDLE
August 13, 1934 ~ 2020 (Age 86)

WOOLWICH - Judith A. Beedle, 86, of Woolwich died recently, with her family by her side.

She was born in Worcester, Mass. on August 13, 1934, and grew up in Winchendon, Mass., Portland, Maine, and Randsburg, Calif. She married William L. Beedle, also of Winchendon, Mass., in 1953, and they had two daughters.

She was essentially a homebody, who devoted her life to her family, neighbors, and friends. A "first responder" to those in need, she compassionately and, sometimes bravely, looked out for others and acted on their behalf, especially in regard to children and the elderly. Children were a never-ending joy to her, and she delighted generations of them with her warmth, playfulness, and sweets.

She was an independent woman who faced some challenges, but she built the life she wanted for herself. She loved to read, try out recipes, garden, and go beachcombing at nearby Reid State Park with her husband, as well as to host family gatherings at their home of 50 years in Woolwich. She also loved to write to her far-flung family, in correspondence that was voluminous and full of fun.

She is survived by her husband, William; and by daughters Susan Woodward of Brunswick and Judith Tetreault of Woolwich. She has two much loved grandchildren, Heather Tetreault of Hiram and Jonah Tetreault (deceased) of Bath; and great-grandchildren, Haley Tetreault-Kellett of Gorham and Shane Tetreault of Topsham. She was the eldest of six children: brother Stanley Philbin (deceased) of Gorham, and sisters Sarah Niemela (deceased) of Keen, N.H., Loretta Philbin of Melrose, Mass., Jane Blanchard of Westbrook, and Ann Page of Richmond. She is also survived by a number of cousins, including four who were like brothers to her, Peter, Nathan, and Joseph Spooner, and Bud Wolford; and very dear nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were provided by Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Gardiner, Maine. To make a donation in her memory, the family suggest a charity that supports foster children: My Stuff Bags Foundation 5347 Sterling Center Dr. Westlake Village, CA 91361.